Golf course implement lift system

Abstract

A golf course implement lift system includes a global positioning system for mapping a plurality of obstacles on a golf course, and an electro-hydraulic three point hitch with a towed implement attached thereto. The electro-hydraulic three point hitch is raised when the global positioning system detects the towed implement is approaching one of the plurality of obstacles.

1 . A golf course implement lift system, comprising:
 a global positioning system for mapping a plurality of obstacles on a golf course;   an electro-hydraulic three point hitch with a towed implement attached thereto; the electro-hydraulic three point hitch is raised when the global positioning system detects the towed implement is approaching one of the plurality of obstacles.   
     
     
         2 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 1  further comprising an automated guidance system that steers the tractor on a series of guidance lines on the golf course. 
     
     
         3 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 1  wherein the towed implement is an aerator. 
     
     
         4 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 1  wherein the electro-hydraulic three point hitch is raised when a working point on the hitch is approaching one of the plurality of obstacles. 
     
     
         5 . A golf course implement lift system, comprising:
 an aerator attached to a three point hitch behind a tractor;   a global positioning system on the tractor; and   a hitch controller that raises the three point hitch when the global positioning system detects the tractor is located where a working point of the three point hitch is approaching an in-ground obstacle, and lowers the three point hitch when the global positioning system detects the tractor is located where the working point of the three point hitch is past the in-ground obstacle.   
     
     
         6 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 5  wherein the global positioning system stores a location for each in-ground obstacle. 
     
     
         7 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 5  wherein the automated guidance system steers the tractor on a series of guidance lines on a golf course. 
     
     
         8 . A golf course implement lift system, comprising:
 a tractor with an electro-hydraulic three point hitch towing an implement for turf maintenance;   a global positioning system receiver detecting the location of the tractor relative to a plurality of in-ground obstacles, and signaling the electro-hydraulic three point hitch to raise the implement when approaching any of the plurality of in-ground obstacles.   
     
     
         9 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 8  wherein the implement is an aerator. 
     
     
         10 . The golf course implement lift system of  claim 8  wherein the electro-hydraulic three point hitch is raised based on a tractor speed and a boundary area around each of the in-ground obstacles.